Method and apparatus for gate blocking X-outs during a molding process

Abstract

A method and device for providing a gate blocking material. Specifically, a method for molding a substrate having known good and bad sites thereon, by blocking the gate area of the bad sites during the molding process. A blocking material or an injection pin are used to interrupt the flow of molding compound through an injection molding system, and thereby prevent molding compound from flowing onto the known bad substrate sites.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A molding system comprising: 
       a first plate;  
       a second plate adapted to be disposed proximate to the first plate to create a runner having a gate area, the first and second plates configured to receive a substrate having a plurality of sites, wherein at least one of the sites is defective; and  
       at least one blocking pin coupled to one of the first plate and the second plate, the blocking pin being moveable to block a molding compound from passing through the gate area to the at least one defective site.  
     
     
       2. The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate disposed between the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
       3. The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking pin is manually moved to block a molding compound from passing through the gate area. 
     
     
       4. The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking pin is mechanically moved by a solenoid to block a molding compound from passing through the gate area. 
     
     
       5. The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking pin is positioned to block the runner. 
     
     
       6. The system, as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking pin is positioned to block the gate area.